Eagles are back in the race

STATESBORO, Ga. --- There's something to be said about being cold, wet and happy.

On a night more suited for hot chocolate and a fireplace, Georgia Southern found ultimate comfort in 55-degree temperatures and swirling rain.

The Eagles relied on the running of Adam Urbano, the right foot of Adrian Mora and a steadily improving defense to defeat Chattanooga 30-20 before 17,357 soggy fans at Paulson Stadium.

The victory improved Georgia Southern's record to 4-3 overall, but more importantly, moved the Eagles to 3-1 in Southern Conference play and set up next Saturday's key matchup with Appalachian State in Boone, N.C.

"It was a huge win, but we have four more," defensive lineman Brent Russell said, noting four more wins to close out the regular season could provide the Eagles with a playoff berth.

Georgia Southern had a winning plan Saturday, and for the third time this season followed a loss with a victory.

Urbano finished with a career-high 153 yards and two touchdowns on 32 carries.

Mora booted field goals from 20, 45 and 20 yards and quarterback Lee Chapple hooked up with Tyler Sumner on a 9-yard score.

The defense made Georgia Southern's season-high 30 points stand up. Chattanooga, a surprise team in the conference with a 4-1 record coming in, managed only 33 rushing yards.

"We're getting continuity," Eagles coach Chris Hatcher said. "I think we're building the program the right way. We took another step in the right direction."

Georgia Southern broke open a 13-13 tie in the third quarter with a 17-point run. Urbano started the spurt with a 2-yard touchdown dive with 8:30 left in the quarter to make it 20-13.

Chapple found a wide-open Sumner in the back of the end zone on the next possession to provide the first two-score advantage of the game.

Chattanooga's first turnover in four games -- a fumbled snap by quarterback B.J. Coleman -- set up the clinching field goal by Mora.

"When you're playing good defense, running the ball (well) and playing good special teams -- that's a good trio," Hatcher said.

Punter Charlie Edwards put a foot into the Mocs with key punts of 61 and 62 yards as the cold and rain played key factors.

"I just wanted to run up to my mom (in the stands) and get under a blanket," said Urbano about the cold, rainy night.

"I'm soaking wet but I fell dry," Hatcher said.

The Eagles defense thought differently about the helpful elements. Without leading rusher Bryan Fitzgerald, the Mocs were one-dimensional and the passing game wasn't best dimension for wet night.

"It's football weather. Our coaches told us, let it rain," said linebacker Tavaris Williams who won a state championship at Lowndes in 2007 during a pouring rain.

Georgia Southern didn't win a championship this time, but it stayed in the playoff hunt. Elon and Appalachian State are the only undefeated teams in conference play. They still have to play each other. By winning out, Georgia Southern can finish no worse than second in the league and would have a victory over the Mountaineers.

Georgia Southern started quickly by scoring on its first drive.

The Eagles showed their resiliency by having a touchdown called back because of a holding penalty, but continued on for a score on Urbano's 9-yard run.

The Eagles kept the momentum until Urbano fumbled at the Georgia Southern 32 midway through the first quarter. Coleman and Chris Pitchford connected for a 32-yard touchdown pass on the next play to tie the game.

The Eagles continued to surge ahead only to have the Mocs come back to tie.

Georgia Southern's final push went unanswered.

"We're just trying to grind," linebacker Dion DuBose said. "Hit, hit and tackle. Punch people in the mouth before they can punch back. We're back in the conference race."

Reach Donald Heath at donald.heath@morris.com.